New Israeli musical duo Project Passport is releasing its freshman album “State of Grace”, a musical journey that has been a year and a half in the making in three different international destinations – New York, Stockholm and Tel Aviv. The duo is comprised of musical producer and composer Gal Padeh and renowned Israeli fashion model Angel Bonnani, who has ventured into acting and singing.

Padeh, a graduate of NYU, studied music & business and went on to work alongside Grammy Award winning producer/engineer Gordon Williams, while living in New York City. Meanwhile, the Uruguay-born Bonnani is considered Israel’s leading male model, featured in fashion campaigns for Jean Paul Gaultier, Donna Karan and Banana Republic and has graced the pages of prestigious magazines such as Harper’s Bazaar. During the past few years he starred in numerous popular Israeli TV dramas and is now fully pursuing his love for music.

The musical collaboration between the two was first showcased to the public with Project Passport’s debut single “Borrowed Time” back in June 2010. “I started writing songs when I was living in TriBeCa, and since I’m not a singer I was looking for one” Padeh tells AbbaNibi in this exclusive US interview, “When I got back to Israel and was working in a studio in Ramat Ha’Sharon, Angel came there one day to work on materials for his solo album and I knew right then and there I’ve found my missing link”.

So where did the name for the project come from?“We called it Passport because the project has gone through three different continents, America at the beginning and eventually Israel and Sweden”.

How would you describe your genre?“We are both musically influenced by American folk rock acts, such as Bon Iver and John Mayer, all with lots of warm strings and electronic touches, like with Nine Inch Nails and Trent Renzor”.

Angel, you are the lead vocalist, would you describe it as an unusual transition from modeling?“I was raised in a very musical household. My father was an opera singer so I have always loved singing. I wouldn’t call it a transition, but more of a natural continuation of what I’ve always done”

While the duo continue to take their majestic music on stage with intimate venues throughout Israel, they keep gaining more and more captivated audiences. Project Passport’s “State of Grace” will be available online via their label High Fidelity records.